Desire2Learn Expands Support for Web Conferencing, Captioning

Desire2Learn has unveiled new capabilities for its flagship learning platform, including integration with several collaboration, communication, and accessibility tools. The announcement was made at the Educause 2012 conference taking place this week in Denver.

Among the new features is interoperability with Cisco's WebEx conferencing and collaboration software, providing "seamless" integration that allows users to host WebEx conferences within online rooms when using the Desire2Learn Learning Suite.

D2L is also offering enhanced accessibility features through integrations with ReadSpeaker and Automatic Sync Technologies. ReadSpeaker offers cloud-based text-to-speech technologies, which are now integrated into the D2L Learning Suite.

According to D2L: "The TTS service helps all learners expand their comprehension and allows for bi-model learning as well as ease of use with model access. The seamlessly integrated TTS feature requires no downloads and works on all supported devices and operating systems, further enabling users that would otherwise have to download and install third party installed software."

D2L is also now offering integration with Automatic Sync Technologies' CaptionSync, which is specifically designed "to support accessibility in education for the deaf and hard of hearing across its customer base."

Finally, D2L also reported that it's now working with Ellucian to provide deeper integration with the company's student information system.

In other D2L news, the company reported that California State University, Long Beach has completed implemented its Campus Life system to provide mobile access to students, faculty, and staff through an app for iOS, Android, and BlackBerry called CSULB Mobile.

Among the features of the mobile app are:

Information about campus events;

Maps and transportation routes;

Access to campus police;

Emergency notifications;

Contacts for the nighttime campus transport/escort service;

Some of the publications produced by students and campus organizations; and

Access to the university's learning management system and e-portfolio.

"We are excited to provide the CSULB students, faculty, staff, alumni, prospective students, and the greater community access to ongoing campus activities and services with a mobile application," said Roman Kochan, CSULB associate vice president, academic technology services, in a prepared statement. "Desire2Learn's mobile app has made it possible for CSULB to roll out a university-branded tool and has reduced the amount of time and cost to develop and maintain a similar tool in-house. The app will provide mobile access to campus news, sports updates, upcoming events, shuttle schedules, student services, BeachBoard courses and more."

Desire2Learn is exhibiting at the Educause 2012 conference this week in booth 1440. Additional details can be found at Desire2Learn.com.

About the Author

Executive Producer David Nagel heads up the editorial department for 1105 Media's education publications — which include two daily sites, a variety of newsletters and two monthly digital magazines covering technology in both K-12 and higher education.

A 21-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art and business publications.